Thanks guys. We're being observed by a pretty darn good official in his own right. Looking forward to hearing what he has to say.

JRut?

Who's On First ???
 

Connecticut is the "Land That Time Forgot". Many of our best officials don't get in a three person game until the quarterfinals of the state tournament. In a quarterfinal game, I observed one of our best officials move in a complete circle, from trail, to lead, back to trail, with his circular path covering the entire front court, while one of his partners was reporting a foul to the table.

It's Always Sunny In Connecticut ...
 

It was 97 degrees F here yesterday, and it hit 97 degrees F again today. Both record highs for the dates. No sweat? You've got to be kidding me.

More Specifically . . .
 

It's not just a matter of "stay in your primary". To far too many what that means is: "If the ball is in your primary, I'm not going to call the foul or violation that I see there because, after all, that's not in my primary." In the meantime, competitive matchups in one's primary aren't under surveillance.

More precisely, pregame it like this with an actual diagram of three-man Primary Areas of Coverage visible to everyone on your crew: "Okay, here are our primary areas of coverage. Let's make sure each of us knows when the other is going to turn 'off-ball'." That's the primary emphasis of the three-man system. And clarify it how each will communicate that s/he has turned off-ball (some use a hand to the chest when going on-ball, we acknowledge going off-ball by turning our shoulders away from the ball; other methods are also popular).

Off-ball coverage, providing surveillance over the competitive matchups in your PCA -- what it's all about. Not simply not calling something seen in another's PCA because it's not in your PCA while that's where your attention has been while ignoring what's going on in your PCA.

Make sense?

Rusty in VA.......
 

I had 3 x BV Summer league games last night....I sweated my a$$ off. Wow!

I was somewhere else tonight. I have camps or games every night in June damn near. I should go to bed because I will be working a camp (and working some games) all day tomorrow. Gotta love summer time.

Peace

Follow up from OP?
 

So...how did it go? Any memorable events? Lessons learned? First impression of 3 man? (BTW...How's your mom?)


Billy, you should move to Florida...those Connecticut summers are brutal. I can remember as a kid it would get so hot, I'd actually swim in the Connecticut River...it was pretty gross back then.

It went very well overall. I wish I had more time right now, but I'll be back after work to post a more comprehensive recap.

Yes, and I agree. Was trying to keep it simple, though, in the advice given (i.e., start by thinking about primary first, then once comfortable graduate to what you describe). I think what you described is great and appropriate, just a bit much to process for a first time on the court calling 3-man. YMMV.

Not Anymore ...
 

Thanks to the Clean Water Act of 1977:

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbn...87f93e1ca6abac

Just Realized It, Not A Great Title ...
 

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Was a good night overall. Got caught reaching a few times, but there was one time that I reached where the observer said it was OK, especially since it was the right call.

It took some getting used to for sure. I got caught several times running from C to L after a free throw, like I would do in two man. Rotated late several times as the L, and was forced to make a call while rotating.

My partner (L) and I (C) had a double whistle on a block charge that we handled well, got some kudos from the observer for that.

A couple of questions...

1. Should the L ever have a five second closely guarded count?

2. If the ball is in the corner, strong side near the end line, how many sets of eyes should be on the ball?

3. How quickly do you rotate, and what's your key? Ball or post players?

1. Yes, but check local listings.

2. Two, at most. But the T has off ball responsibility, too.

3. I'm working on this. Two keys I am using are when the ball drops below the ft line, or when the player with the ball high on the week side starts dribbling.

1. Yes, they can, but rarely do since there is usually a move to the basket or a kick out rather than an extended possession. Never a bad idea to get a count started though.
2. Depends. Fed mechanics leaves this to T. Here in GA they want L to turn out and accept the play with T focusing on the paint. Check how they want you to do it in your association.
3. You'll get different answers here, but I base it on competitive match ups and what defense they're playing (zone I'm not in as big a hurry, man to man maybe more quick). The big thing is to close down when the ball moves to the weak side and be ready to rotate.